Modular mobile air traffic control tower unit and method

ABSTRACT

A modular mobile air traffic control tower which includes a wheeled trailer frame made up of at least two releasably secured building module supporting frame modules. One of the building modules has an air traffic control observation deck projecting from its roof and the other, which is the wheel mounted module, may be used as an office by the traffic controller. When the modules are disconnected, the module having the observation deck can become a permanent air traffic control tower mounted on a fixed building roof and the other module may retain its function as a mobile office.

United States Patent Inventor Anthony A. Coletto, Jr.

Cleveland Heights, Ohio Appl. No. 781,230

Filed Dec. 4, 1968 Patented June 15, 1971 Assignee Air Traffic ControlSystems, Inc.

Cleveland, Ohio MODULAR MOBILE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER UNIT AND METHOD11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

Int. Cl 862d 63/00 Field of Search 105/340;

296/281, 1, 23;244/l14, ll5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D.2l3.l81 1/1969 CriswellD14/3 2,589,997 3/1952 Dean 105/340 2,931,681 4/1960 Keller 296/28.l3,157,427 11/1964 Reynolds 296/23 Primary Examiner- Philip GoodmanAttorney Fay, Sharpe and Mulholland ABSTRACT: A modular mobile airtraffic control tower which includes a wheeled trailer frame made up ofat least two releasably secured building module supporting framemodules. One of the building modules has an air traffic controlobservation deck projecting from its roof and the other, which is thewheel mounted module, may be used as an office by the trafficcontroller.

When the modules are disconnected, the module having the observationdeck can become a permanent air traffic control tower mounted on a fixedbuilding roof and the other module may retain its function as a mobileoffice.

PATENTEUJUNISIS?! 3,584,911

SHEET 3 UF 3 FIG. 7

IN VENTOR.

ANTHONY A. COLETTO JR.

ATTORNEYS MODULAR MOBILE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER UNIT AND METHODBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In their initial stages of development, mostairports are nothing more than a landing strip with all available fundsgoing into construction of a desired runway or runways to facilitate thelanding and taking off of aircraft. As these airports become morefrequently used, however, it becomes necessary to provide an air trafficcontrol tower to insure the safety of aircraft approaching or leavingthe area which the airport serves. This increase in traffic and the needfor controlling it normally occurs at a time when funds for upgradingthe facilities are still being channelled into runway and hangarfacilities; accordingly, it has long been a problem that a permanentadministration building and air traffic control tower is one of the laststages of development of an airport.

In recent times, to accommodate and control air traffic during theperiod of time between the opening of the airport and the constructionof more permanent facilities, mobile air traffie control towers havebeen utilized. These mobile air traffic control towers have basicallybeen house trailers with an observation area in the form of a controltower projecting from the roof of the house trailer, the house trailercontaining necessary electronic communication and weather equipment andan office area and rest room for the traffic controllers and airportadministrators. The problem with mobile air traffic control towers todate, however, has been that, once they have been used to a point beyondtheir capacity and permanent tower and office facilities are built, themobile air traffic control tower is a duplication of facility for thatparticular airport which, of course, may not be able to afford theluxury of both a permanent and a temporary tower.

The present invention is designed to permit the flexibility of a mobileair traffic control tower and office during the initial stages ofoperation of an airport and then to permit the utilization of thecontrol tower module portion of the mobile unit as a permanent towerfacility mounted on top of an office and terminal building whilepreserving the office module portion of the modular unit as a mobileoffice for use in the hangar area or for other appropriate locationsaround the airfield. Accordingly, it will be seen that the expensivepurchasing of duplicate tower facilities, including electronic weatherand communications gear, is unnecessary because of the particularmodular structure of the mobile air traffic control tower of thisinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the invention is a modularmobile air traffic control tower comprising a wheeled trailer frame madeup of at least two frame modules releasably secured together. Each ofthe frames modules has a building module mounted thereon. At least oneof the building modules has an observation area including windows on allfour sides projecting from the roof of the module.

Each of the building modules has four walls with two of the walls insubstantially face-to-face engagement with a soft material such as foamtherebetween. Door openings are provided in each of the adjacent wallsin register so as to provide direct access from one module to the other.The modular unit, when releasably secured together, includes a towinghitch on the frame module holding the observation tower; and the otherframe module includes springs, wheels and axles thereunder. The hitch ismovable from the observation tower supporting frame module to the othermodule such that, when the building and frame modules are disconnectedone from the other and the module having the observation tower is put inplace on top'of a permanent structure, as the air control tower thereof,the other frame and building module unit may be towed for use as amobile office. Provision may be made for mounting trim on theobservation area building module to make its appearance compatiblefrom-an aesthetic standpoint with the building upon which it is mounted.1

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofthe modular mobile air traffic control tower unit.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along the line 3-3ofFlG. 3.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the modular mobile air trafficcontrol tower.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the frame for the modular mobile airtrafiic control tower.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the frame of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the building module portion of themodular mobile air traffic control tower permanently mounted upon afixed structure with the other building module converted for use as amobile office.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The numeral 1 generally designates the modularmobile air traffic control tower unit of the-invention. The unitincludes a frame module generally designated by the numeral 3 which isreleasably secured to a frame module generally designated by the numeral5. The frame module 3 supports a building module generally designated bythe numeral 7 which is releasably secured to a building frame module 5.

The building module 7 includes an observation area and air trafficcontrol tower generally designated by the numeral 10 projecting upwardlyfrom the top of building module 7. The tower 10 has a flat weatherproofroof 11 and slanted 'windows W, preferably of tinted glass, to preventglare during use. The building module 7 has sidewalls l2 and 13 and endwalls 14 and 15 which make up a rectangular houselike structure. In likemanner, the building module 9 has sidewalls 16 and 17 and end walls 18and 19. The glass tower portion 10 projects from a roof 20 of module 7of an opening thereof such that an air traffic controller can stand onan upper observation deck area 21 raised above the floor 23 of thebuilding module 7 and accessible thereto by steps 24.

In FIG. 2, a control panel 26 of electronic weather and communicationsinstruments are provided on the upper deck 21 as shown in phantom. Otherfurnishings to aid in traffic control, such as telephones, recorders,files and counters may also be provided within the tower area. Underdeck 21 batteries for auxiliary power and backup equipment are storedthrough an opening 23. On the lower floor level 23, a partition 27separates the observation area from a washroom area. In like manner, apartition 28 having a door 29 for passage therethrough completes thewashroom enclosure. A suitable shelf 30 is typical of other furnishingsand accessories which may be provided in the building module.

The building module 9 has a floor area 31 which may be made up in amultitude of ways. It is illustrated typically as having a desk 32, asmall range 33, a counter 34, a sink 35 and a washroom and toilet area36 separated by a suitable L- shaped partition 37 from the rest of thefloor area 31. A door 38 permits access to the washroom through theL-shaped partition 37. Appropriate windows W may be provided anywhere inthe sidewalls and end walls of the building modules 7 and 9. Access tothe building modules 7 and 9, when they are releasably secured together,is through a door 40 in the side 16 of the building module 9. Access tothe interior of the building module 7 from the building module 9 isthrough a flush door 42 which acts as a closure for a door opening inthe end wall 19 of the building module 9. The end wall 15 of thebuilding 7 has a door opening and flush door 44 which is in exactregister with the opening and door 42, such that direct access betweenthe building module 9 and the building module 7 is available.

The walls of the trailer are made by any standard construction but, asseen in FIG. 3, are generally a sandwich of an outer weatherproof metalor plastic material 46 and an inner decorative wall panelling material47 with suitable insulation such as fiberglass board 48 disposedtherebetween. An air conditioning unit 49 can be provided in either orboth of the end walls 18 and 14 in a manner which is conventional inhouse trailer manufacturing.

The frame module 3 which supports the building module 7 is typicallymade up-of side channels 51 and 53 with intermediate transverseinterconnecting members 54 and 56 welded at opposite ends thereto. Anouter transverse frame member 57 and an inner transverse frame member 58complete the rectangular outline of the frame module 3.

A hitch 60 of conventional type is releasably secured by means ofapertured pads 61 mounted on the transverse members 54 and 57. U-bolts63 pass through the apertures of the plates 61 to hold the legs 64 and65 of the hitch rigidly against the frame. The frame has a usual ballreceiving cup end 67 and a wheeled jack screw 68 for leveling thetrailer.

As will be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, the opposite end of the frame moduleis similarly equipped with apertured plates 63 for mounting of the hitch60 at that end after disconnection of the frame module 5. The framemodule 5 has side channels 71 and 73 with intermediate transverseinterconnecting members 74, 76 and 77 welded at opposite ends thereto.An outer transverse frame member 78 and an inner transverse frame member79 complete the rectangular outline of the frame module 5. Between thetransverse members 74 and 76, extra bracing 80 is provided to strengthenthe frame module 5 in the area axles, wheels and suspension system.Their location relative to these braces is shown in phantom in FIG. 6and is generally designated by the numeral 82. v

The frame modules 3 and 5 are secured with their transverse members 58and 79 respectively in face-to-face relationship with a soft materialsuch as urethane foam 84 therebetween to prevent squeaks and otherobjectionable noise during travel of the unit. Bolts 85 and nuts 86 inappropriate number are utilized to maintain this connection in rigidload supporting condition for travel of the unit or use of the unit withthe building modules 7 and 9 together. In a similar manner, the endwalls and 19 of the building modules 7 and 9 respectively are joinedtogether in face-toface relationship by means of bolts 85 and nuts 86with a soft material 84 therebetween.

Thus, it will be seen that an integral mobile unit for use as an airtraffic control tower can be made up of frame and building modules inthe manner described. When it is desired permanently to mount thebuilding module 7 upon a fixed foundation such as the pedestal 90 on theroof of an airport administration building or other suitable structure,generally designated by the FIG. B in FIG. 7, the bolts and nuts 85 and86 are disassembled and the frame module 3 and building module 7 thereonare separated from the frame module 5 and the building module 9 thereon.The hitch 60 is, of course, removed from the frame module 3 andtransferred to the frame module 5 so that the frame module 5 andbuilding module 9 make up a mobile office separate from the frame module3 and the building module 7. The frame module 3 and building module 7may then be lifted by a crane or other suitable equipment by means ofhooking a cable to lifting eyes 94 welded to the frame module 3 onto thefoundation 90, and a suitable aesthetic building facing 96 may be addedto the outside of the building module 7 to blend aesthetically with thearchitecture of the building B.

In the alternative, the facing material may be omitted, and the buildingmodule 7 can be made symmetrical by the addition ofa trim hood 98 or theremoval of the original trim hood extension of the roof of the buildingmodule 7.

It will be readily seen that, in utilizing the frame module 3, it wouldnot be necessary for the building module 7 to be mounted atop abuilding; but, rather, it could be mounted on a low foundation close tothe ground, particularly if there were no obstructing buildings in theimmediate area.

For ease of description, the principles of the invention have been setforth in connection with but a few illustrated embodiments. It is notour intention that the illustrated embodiments or the terminologyemployed in describing them be limiting inasmuch as yariationsjn thesemay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, butrather, It 15 our desire to be restricted only by the scope of theappended claims.

1 claim:

1. A modular mobile unit, a portion of which is used to form theobservation area of an air traffic control tower, comprismg:

a wheeled frame having at least two building modules thereon;

said modules having surfaces adapted to be releasably secured together;at least one of said building modules being releasably secured to saidwheeled frame for subsequent removal and mounting in an elevatedposition on a fixed structure; at least said one of said buildingmodules having observation area windows; said windows having the loweredges thereof lying inwardly of the observation area relative to theirrespective upper edges to facilitate use of the observation area in anair traffic control tower.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which the wheeled frame has a towinghitch secured thereto.

3. The combination of claim 1 in which each of the building modules hasat least four walls.

4. The combination of claim 1 in which means are provided to permitdirect access from one building module to the other.

5. The combination of claim 1 in which the observation area windows aremounted in a tower which projects above the rest of the roof area of thebuilding modules and wherein said windows are mounted on at least foursides of said tower.

6. The combination of claim 3 in which a wall of one build-- ing moduleis releasably secured in substantial face-to-face relationship with awall of the other building module with a pad of soft solid materialtherebetween.

7. The combination of claim 6 in which each of said walls that aresecured in substantial face-to-face relationship has a door opening inregister with a door opening of the other to permit direct access fromone building module to the other.

8. The combination of claim 2 in which the hitch is releasably securedto the frame module having the building module with the observation areaand the wheels are located under the other of said frame modules.

9. The combination of claim 2 in which the frame module having thebuilding module with the observation area is provided with liftingmeans.

10. The combination of claim 8 in which the frame module under which thewheels are located has a means adaptable to receive said hitch when saidbuilding and frame modules are disconnected from each other.

11. The combination of claim 14 in which means are provided for securingtrim to the building module having the observation area when saidbuilding and frame modules are disconnected from each other.

1. A modular mobile unit, a portion of which is used to form theobservation area of an air traffic control tower, comprising: a wheeledframe having at least two building modules thereon; said modules havingsurfaces adapted to be releasably secured together; at least one of saidbuilding modules being releasably secured to said wheeled frame forsubsequent removal and mounting in an elevated position on a fixedstructure; at least said one of said building modules having observationarea windows; said windows having the lower edges thereof lying inwardlyof the observation area relative to their respective upper edges tofacilitate use of the observation area in an air traffic control tower.2. The combination of claim 1 in which the wheeled frame has a towinghitch secured thereto.
 3. The combination of claim 1 in which each ofthe building modules has at least four walls.
 4. The combination ofclaim 1 in which means are provided to permit direct access from onebuilding module to the other.
 5. The combination of claim 1 in which theobservation area windows are mounted in a tower which projects above therest of the roof area of the building modules and wherein said windowsare mounted on at least four sides of said tower.
 6. The combination ofclaim 3 in which a wall of one building module is releasably secured insubstantial face-to-face relationship with a wall of the other buildingmodule with a pad of soft solid material therebetween.
 7. Thecombination of claim 6 in which each of said walls that are secured insubstantial face-to-face relationship has a door opening in registerwith a door opening of the other to permit direct access from onebuilding module to the other.
 8. The combination of claim 2 in which thehitch is releasably secured to the frame module having the buildingmodule with the observation area and the wheels are located under theother of said frame modules.
 9. The combination of claim 2 in which theframe module having the building module with the observation area isprovided with lifting means.
 10. The combination of claim 8 in which theframe module under which the wheels are located has a means adaptable toreceive said hitch when said building and frame modules are disconnectedfrom each other.
 11. The combination of claim 14 in which means areprovided for securing trim to The building module having the observationarea when said building and frame modules are disconnected from eachother.